Cycling is one of the best ways to explore the dramatic landscape of the Church Stretton Hills. These rides have some quite challenging gradients in places but the attractions, picturesque villages and breath taking scenery they take in are worth the, at times, testing climbs. Cycled over a day, with a picnic lunch or a stop at a local pub, this really is a great way to explore the area. These cycle routes have been chosen to suit a range of interests and abilities, the shortest route being 13 miles and the longest 22 miles.
Church Stretton Cycle Rides Route 1: To The Edge (13 mile)
A 13 mile circular route from Church Stretton which can be lengthened to 14 miles taking in beautiful countryside and visits well known attractions such as Acton Scott Working Farm and the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre. Also possible is a spur to Craven Arms adding 5 miles each way OR you could do a linear route from Church Stretton to Craven Arms and return by train, total distance 12 miles.
Places of interest:
Church Stretton
Church Stretton is an historic Market Town situated in the heart of the South Shropshire hills on the English/Welsh border known as The Marches. It is the only town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the first Walkers are Welcome town in the Midlands. The area is renowned worldwide for its geology, with some of the oldest rock formations in existence.
Acton Scott
The Historic Working Farm Museum at Acton Scott contains rare animal breeds and visitors can actively participate in the farming activities of a bygone age. The estate was chosen as the primary film location for BBC2’s hugely popular ratings success story ‘Victorian Farm’.
Westhope Craft College
The College lies in Hope Dale and is a handsome gabled house and has built a good reputation for imaginative arts and crafts workshops and courses. Ticklerton Hall is an impressive 17th century house with two large and impressive dovecotes.
Craven Arms
Craven Arms is located in South Shropshire on the main A49 Shrewsbury to Ludlow road. The name originates from the 17th century Craven Arms Inn and it was the creation of a major railway junction that stimulated growth of the settlement in Victorian times. See more at: www.shropshire-guide.co.uk/places/united-kingdom/shropshire/craven-arms
Ride directions
Step 1
Starting at the railway station carpark,turn right onto the road towards the A49
Step 2
At the A49 go straight across at the traffic lights, taking care. Less
experienced cyclists can dismount and use the pedestrian crossings.
Once across, take the 2nd right into Hazler Road and start to climb.Step 3
Skirt round to the right and back on yourself up an immediate steep
climb. The junction is unsigned.Step 4
At this junction, next to Ragdon Cottage, go straight on signed
Ragdon. The road then bends round to the right past Toad Hall.Step 5
At the cross-roads go straight over signed Henley. The road is then a
little rutted & steep, Take Care.Step 6
Turn left at a forked junction with a post box. (Don't go straight on signed Craven Arms, this goes via the A49). Immediately after you go over a stone bridge.
Step 7
At this junction on a bend, go straight on signed Wolverton. There
is a large farm complex on both sides of the road at
this junctionStep 8
At the next T junction ,after two miles, turn left signed to Eaton.
Step 9
Turn right on the bend, signed to Eaton. (OR you can take a short
cut by following the road round to the left and then about a mile
on, turn right signed to Much Wenlock).Step 10
Turn left at this unsigned T-junction. As you turn left you pass under
an old railway bridge which no longer has a deck. Immediately
after the old bridge, ignore the road off to the right signed Wall and
carry straight on signed TicklertonStep 11
At this T-junction the sign is opposite but off to the right and
set into the hedge, so obscured slightly. Turn right signed Much
Wenlock. Very shortly afterwards turn left for Soudley at a memorial
for the 1st & 2nd World Wars.Step 12
Carry straight on, at minor crossroads next to Soudley Cottage,
signed Hope Bowdler. Shortly afterwards turn left signed
Chelmick, go up a fairly steep climb to Steepside Cottage. The
road then drops down again (Take Care, the road is rutted)
before climbing again to great views off to the left. Carry on
until you arrive at the T-junction which you passed earlier.Step 13
Turn right signed Church Stretton and retrace your route from earlier.